Piracetam
Scientific names: Piracetam
Alternate names: 2-(2-Oxopyrrolidin-1-yl) Acetamide, 2-Oxo-1-pyrrolidin-acetamide, 2-Oxo-1-pyrrolidine-acetamide, 2-Oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide, 2-Oxo-pyrrolidine-1-acetamide, Barcan, Noostan, Nootrop, Nootropil, Nootropyl, Normabraïn, Pyrrolidone Acetamide
Actions: General, Anticonvulsant, Neurological, Vascular
Background
Piracetam is a lab-made chemical. In Europe, it is a prescription drug used to improve brain function. It is not approved as a drug or supplement in the US.
Piracetam is a chemical related to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is thought to help cells in the brain and blood vessels to function better. During aging and in some kinds of diseases, the membrane that surrounds cells starts to get stiff. Piracetam is thought to help maintain the membrane.
People use piracetam for breath-holding attacks, epilepsy, dizziness, dyslexia, surgery to improve blood flow to the heart, and a movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs. It is also used for Alzheimer disease, autism, dementia, depression, memory, schizophrenia, sickle cell disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Piracetam is a chemical related to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is thought to help cells in the brain and blood vessels to function better. During aging and in some kinds of diseases, the membrane that surrounds cells starts to get stiff. Piracetam is thought to help maintain the membrane.
People use piracetam for breath-holding attacks, epilepsy, dizziness, dyslexia, surgery to improve blood flow to the heart, and a movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs. It is also used for Alzheimer disease, autism, dementia, depression, memory, schizophrenia, sickle cell disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Piracetam is possibly safe when used in doses of up to 24 grams daily for up to 2 weeks or 20 grams daily for up to 18 months. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include constipation, stomach upset, high blood pressure, rash, and weight gain.
Children: Piracetam is possibly safe when taken by mouth appropriately in doses based on age and weight.
Cocaine use disorder: Piracetam seems to increase cocaine use in people who are addicted to cocaine and are trying to quit. Until more is known, do not use piracetam if you have cocaine use disorder.
Epilepsy: Stopping piracetam or decreasing the dose of piracetam might increase the number of seizures in people with epilepsy. If you have epilepsy, only use piracetam under the care of a healthcare provider.
Huntington disease: Piracetam seems to increase symptoms in people with Huntington disease. Until more is known, do not use piracetam if you have Huntington disease.
Kidney problems: Piracetam is removed from the body by the kidneys. Talk to a healthcare provider before using piracetam if you have kidney problems.
Surgery: Piracetam might slow blood clotting. This might result in too much bleeding if it is used before surgery. Stop taking piracetam at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if piracetam is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Children: Piracetam is possibly safe when taken by mouth appropriately in doses based on age and weight.
Cocaine use disorder: Piracetam seems to increase cocaine use in people who are addicted to cocaine and are trying to quit. Until more is known, do not use piracetam if you have cocaine use disorder.
Epilepsy: Stopping piracetam or decreasing the dose of piracetam might increase the number of seizures in people with epilepsy. If you have epilepsy, only use piracetam under the care of a healthcare provider.
Huntington disease: Piracetam seems to increase symptoms in people with Huntington disease. Until more is known, do not use piracetam if you have Huntington disease.
Kidney problems: Piracetam is removed from the body by the kidneys. Talk to a healthcare provider before using piracetam if you have kidney problems.
Surgery: Piracetam might slow blood clotting. This might result in too much bleeding if it is used before surgery. Stop taking piracetam at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Breath-holding attacks. Taking piracetam by mouth reduces breath-holding attacks in young children.
- Surgery to improve blood flow to the heart (CABG surgery). Taking piracetam by mouth or by IV around the time of CABG surgery helps with memory and thinking skills after surgery. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.
- A learning disorder marked by difficulty reading (dyslexia). Taking piracetam by mouth improves some reading skills in children with dyslexia.
- Seizure disorder (epilepsy). Taking piracetam by mouth reduces some symptoms of epilepsy in some patients who are also taking antiseizure drugs.
- A movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs (tardive dyskinesia). Taking piracetam by mouth can reduce some symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
- Dizziness (vertigo). Taking piracetam by mouth or by IV improves some symptoms of vertigo. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.
Dosing & administration
Piracetam has most often been used by adults in doses of 0.8-24 grams by mouth daily for up to 18 months. In Europe, piracetam is available as a prescription drug. In the US, it is not approved for use in drugs or dietary supplements. Speak with a healthcare provider before use.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.
Piracetam might slow blood clotting. Taking piracetam along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Piracetam might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 31/01/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 20/12/2021 09:04:32. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
